Ric vs. Jazz

[Smooth_bass88]

The Fender is a much more practical instrument for everyday work. It fits nearly any/every musical situation. The Ric, has that unmistakable ‘twang’ (as some call it) that, while not necessarily practical, is great for certain genres.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Neither is a Precision so they are both garbage.

 

[sloppy_phil]

This was interesting, for sure. But I feel like we often hear with our eyes, if that makes sense.

How about a blind shootout between the basses? Not as easy to make a judgment call, I feel!

 

[lug]

I liked the sound of the Ric much more than the Jazz. Yes, I own a Ric. No, I do not own a Jazz. No, I did not actually listen to the video. :foldsArms:

 

[Pet Sounds]

I liked the sound of the Ric much more than the Jazz. Yes, I own a Ric. No, I do not own a Jazz. No, I did not actually listen to the video. :foldsArms:

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

The Jazz is the easy winner. I like the looks of the Ric, but don't like the sound or the feel.

If the question was J vs. P, then it'd be hard to answer.

 

[primussucks9126]

J is definitely more scooped. Ric is crunchier in the mids. When he does the runs on the Ric I feel like they pop way more, but the J is more "supportive." Both valid and I own a few of each.

That being said, I agree with the dude that said brand of bass doesn't define how it sits in the mix, and you can tweak almost anything to get what you want.

 

[kbundle]

p and j bass fanatic here, just recently got a 4003. It's seriously like going from Strat to Les Paul. Less versatile but more sustain. With overdriven tones the 4003 really stands out IMHO.

 

[Scarysharkface]

Obviate the discussion: get a Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") like I have, if you can find one, and be prepared to pay a 5-digit price for one. As far as pickup placement with regards to the difference in scale: take a 60's J-bass, bring both the nut and the bridge saddles inboard @ 3/8 inch each, and you will have the 33 1/4 inch scale of the Rickenbacker with the pickup placement of a 60s J-bass.
View attachment 4391981

I had the chance to play one of those back in the day, when a custom order came through the store where I was teaching at the time. Super nice instrument with a low impedance output. I haven't seen another in the wild in all these years since.

John

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Check it out.

I’ve owned a JB as well as a 4001 Rick. Using Rick-O-Sound with a decent rig is a tremendous incredible sound. However it is a very distinct sound that you like or not. When I recorded with it, that distinctness to me stuck out like a sore thumb in the mix. The JB on the other hand IMO, seems to blend better and sound more natural.

Then there the difference in neck dimensions and string spacing between the two, but that’s another personal preference thing.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Very subjectively if I’m honest. But I can hear Chris Squire straight through Steve Howe. Likewise Larry Graham is never buried in blend. A good sound tech can make any bass sound good and an inexperienced one can make any bass sound weak or muddy or bury it.
I’m saying there’s no wrong answer, every bass can be a good bass in the right hands.

But you can’t wear shorts while playing a Ric!

When heat indexes are over 105 degrees, I’m in shorts, Rick or no Rick. I’m not so sure wearing soaking wet pants are all that fetching…LOL!!! But, I get your point.

 

[SteveCS]

I think both pickups does give you the mid scoop, but I think it still is a bit punchier in the mids than a Ric with both pickups dimed.

Yes, when you put it like that, the Jazz will always 'out-mid' the Ric.

Neither is a Precision so they are both garbage.

Well that didn't take long!!

 

[logdrum]

It's nauseating watching that video. Never understood the Ric appeal

 

[D.M.N.]

This was interesting, for sure. But I feel like we often hear with our eyes, if that makes sense.

How about a blind shootout between the basses? Not as easy to make a judgment call, I feel!

Frustrating he doesn't give an answer to which is which, but I'm confident A is the Rick and B is the Jazz there. As with the video in the OP, the Jazz is mellower/tamer sounding with more scooped mids, but it sounds a bit plinkier/clickier in the highs, likely due to the extra scooped mids. The Rick has a cut and punch that aren't present in the Jazz. In the second vide I quoted here, the Rick is instantly recognizable, it has this throaty growl, especially when you dig in on the low strings. Personally, I prefer the cut of the Rick, and on mine I tend to use just the rear pickup in order to minimize the mid-scoop, using the neck when I need a fuller low end or if I'm using the stereo set-up. I like my Jazz Bass as well, but I ended up modding it with a Bi-sonic style neck pickup and stereo out in order to negate that plinky scoop and mellowness. Stock Rick vs Stock Jazz, I'm taking the Rick. Between a Rick and a Precision, that's a toss up dependent on the need of the song. I've always felt the Rick and Precision are closer sounding than the Rick and Jazz, at least when I play them.

 

[Herrick]

Interesting conclusion. My experience of the Jazz Bass, without watching that particular video, is that both pickups dimed generally produces the classic comb-filtered mid-scoop popular for slapping.

Does that happen only when both pickups are fully up or is it whenever they're at the same volume setting?

 

[Pings Bass]

My two takeaways:

1. It doesn't matter what bass you play as long as it's minimally adequate (plays in tune, has usable signal, is playable etc)
2. Rock bores me

Sure, i can hear the difference when I'm watching, but if you played the audio only and didn't tell me anything about it i might not notice that the bass is changing every couple bars. Mainly because of #2, i.e. there's not enough going on musically to catch my ear. IOW the differences in "tone" between any two minimally adequate basses are so subtle as to be lost among many other factors, not the least of which are the musicality of the piece and the skill of the player (and engineer).

 

[SteveCS]

Does that happen only when both pickups are fully up or is it whenever they're at the same volume setting?

The latter.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

Wasn’t there a long thread about how Jazz pickups don’t actually blend? Mine don’t. They are either on or off….

I would have liked the Jazz to have the bridge pickup dimed and the neck pickup at 25% or so. To me, that's the Jazz sound.

 

[FunkHead]

They sound nothing alike. Now does someone have the TAB's for "Brown Eyed Girl"?

 

[BobKos]

Either the Ric totally gets lost at 2:08 or there is some editing involved with this video. I'm skeptical.....